Clayton County was formed in 1858 out of portions of Fayette and Henry counties. It was named after Judge Augustin S. Clayton, who served in the Georgia General Assembly.
Notable landmarks include Clayton State University, Spivey Hall, the National Archives at Atlanta and Reynolds Nature Preserve. Large employers include Delta TechOps, Southern Regional Medical Center and Fresh Express.
Clayton’s population, relatively flat in the years following the financial crisis, is growing as the county’s economy strengthens. At 143 square miles, Clayton is the third-smallest county in the state.
Within Clayton County are the cites of College Park*, Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lake City, Lovejoy, Morrow, and Riverdale.
| Population: | 296,564 |
| Population Change (since 2010) | +14.3% |
| Population Forecast (2050) | 393,005 |
| Median Household Income | $58,325 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% |
| Mean Travel Time to Work | 32 minutes |
| Single Family Building Permits | 373 |
| Multifamily Building Permits | NA |
View ARC’s 21-County Dashboard where you can find various data points about Clayton County.
2023 Annual Report – Clayton County (pdf)
* This city belongs to more than one county.
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more
